Comments for The Vanilla Queens Blog

Comment on Celebrating 10 Years At The Vanilla.COMpany: A Miracle!! by rain

rain — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:36:38 +0000

Because pure vanilla extract has a high percentage of alcohol, it tends to age for the first year or so. Over time it can slowly lose its strength. It certainly will have it’s full strength for at least a year. My hope, however, is that you will use your vanilla extract or beans frequently enough that you won’t need to worry about expiration dates. Not only does it provide great flavor to all kinds of foods, it also helps to support the farmers who grow it so that we never lose this amazing tropical flavor and fragrance.

Comment on Celebrating 10 Years At The Vanilla.COMpany: A Miracle!! by Nancy Donald

Nancy Donald — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:27:06 +0000

I wonder if there is a expiry date for pure vanilla? Can anyone answer this for me?

Comment on Sailing the Amalfi Coast by Alan Le Clair

Alan Le Clair — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:52:03 +0000

Patricia,
Reading about the trip was like re-living it! It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I’m really hungry now, though. I’m so glad I met you and Sandra. I’m at Anthony and Dennis’ home now, visiting.
All the best,
Alan

Comment on Deep Down Orange and Best Damn Lemon Cakes by mickey wood

mickey wood — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:06:26 +0000

I just read your blog & had to tell you: my mother used to say the same thing if some project was not quite what it should have been. She’d say, “A man on a galloping horse will never notice!”

Comment on Sailing the Amalfi Coast by Amalfi coast

Amalfi coast — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:26:27 +0000

Hello, sounds like you had a fantastic experience, and your pictures are great.
Yummy pastries

Comment on Celebrating 10 Years At The Vanilla.COMpany: A Miracle!! by Reese & Mark

Reese & Mark — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:31:57 +0000

Hi Patricia,

We are absolutely captivated with your life. We just read your “Vanilla Queen” story and now this one, and are amazed with your passion and drive. Printing this post off to read whenever we question and doubt our new endeavor of ‘Season with Spice’.

Very happy to hear your health situation has improved. The positive energy that exudes from your writing clearly shows that cancer didn’t stand a chance in you:)

We just discovered your blog here, and can promise we will be coming back to read more.

All the best,

Reese & Mark

P.S. Read that you love nutmeg. If you are ever in Penang, let us know, and we will take you out for some fresh nutmeg juice. Balik Pulau (the west side of Penang Island) grows the best nutmeg in the world.

Comment on Celebrating 10 Years At The Vanilla.COMpany: A Miracle!! by Dan Pitt

Dan Pitt — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:36:24 +0000

Dear Patricia,
I met you when you were at the Women Leaders of the World program at Santa Clara University. (I was dean of engineering there at the time and was one of the speakers.) I have always remembered the lessons you taught about vanilla, the tropical ecosystem, and the people whose livelihood depends on consumers buying pure vanilla products. This was before your cancer diagnosis, and I am both horrified to learn of your struggle and thrilled with your many victories.

I (and probably many others) would very much appreciate an updated buyers guide to what constitutes legitimate vanilla products today. So many prepared foods (primarily ice cream) no longer say “pure vanilla extract” on the labels. Instead, they will say “real vanilla bean flecks” or “ground vanilla beans” or something else. I can’t tell if these provide real vanilla flavor or if they are the remnants after the vanilla flavor has been removed (with flavor than added artificially).

I wish you all the best.

Dan Pitt
Palo Alto
dan dot pitt at mac dot com

Comment on Dollars for A Doctorate — Theresia Ndirangu by Kathi

Kathi — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:34:51 +0000

Dear Patricia,

Can you give us an update on this effort to raise $18k plus airfare, insurance, etc.? How close are you to realizing its fulfillment?

Thanks.

Comment on For the Love of Chocolate Pie by Beth

Beth — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:41:45 +0000

Hi Patricia,
Don’t know if you remember me, but I used to work at the Smithsonian. Now that I’m a full-time mom to two, I like desserts that don’t get the bowl licked before I can get the spatula out. Anyway, for late winter my grandma Detrick always made floating island, custard cups with maple syrup in the bottom, and of course, apple fritters dunked in syrup and powdered sugar. Glad you’re doing well.

Comment on Why Write About Sun Block? by Sunblock

Sunblock — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:41:27 +0000

A very inspiration al write up about sunblock. Sunblock especially the correct sunblock acan help us and also nourish our skin. I am for sure passing this on to my friends and family. Thanks again for a wonderful writeup